Chinese defense minister on U.S.-China tensions, Taiwan
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A F-16V fighter jet taxis on the runway to make an emergency landing in Taiwan in January as part of a Taiwanese Military drill in Chiayi. This was in response to China increasing overflights from PLA fighter jets above the island, which is self-governed in 2022.
Getty Images| Nurphoto | Getty Images
China’s defense minister has accused the U.S. of “smearing” Beijing and says Washington is trying to “hijack” countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Wei Fenghe said at the Shangri-La Dialogue that Washington is responsible for improving U.S.-China ties.
“We ask that the U.S. stop trying to contain and destabilize China. Interfere in China’s internal affairs. “The bilateral relationship will not improve unless America’s side does that,” he said to delegates attending the Dialog, Asia’s largest defense conference.
“But, if confrontation is what you desire, then we will fight until the end. Wei said that both militaries must make positive efforts to build a positive relationship.
Wei stated that the new Indo-Pacific strategy of U.S. President Joe Biden leads to conflict and confrontation
U.S. declared its Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, or IPEFIn May, as part its strategy to the region. The IPEF includes 13 countries but does not include China.
Wei spoke at the conclusion of three-day dialog in Singapore that “the strategy is an attempt by to build an exclusively small group in name of a libre and open Indo-Pacific to hijack countries from our region, and target one particular country.”
He said, “It’s a strategy that creates conflict and confrontation to contain/encircle others.” China is seeking peace and stability. It is not an aggressor on the Indo-Pacific,” said he, asking the U.S. “to strengthen solidarity and combat confrontation and divisiveness.”
China has responded to narratives accusing it of aggression in the Indo-Pacific during the summit that saw Fumio Kida, Japan’s Prime Minister, address the gathering. Lloyd Austin was the U.S. Defense Secretary.
To counter both Austin and Kishida’s speeches, senior military officers from China have organized special media briefings.
Speaking on Saturday, Austin had described the Indo-Pacific as a “priority theater of operations” that lay at the “heart of American grand strategy.” The Indo-Pacific strategy was his favorite. released in FebruaryThe Biden Administration’s upcoming National Security Strategy is as important as the department’s National Defense Strategy.
Austin sharply criticized Beijing’s increasingly “coercive and aggressive” approach to its claims in the Indo-Pacific — where China is involved in territorial disputes with several neighbors including Japan, India, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Alert on Taiwan
Wei sent a clear warning to Taiwan this Sunday. Taiwan is regarded by China as a separate province. Taiwan must be reunified with China using force. He stated that Taiwan will not be allowed to claim independence to “the last man” and China would fight them.
“We will fight to the death and fight for our rights at every cost. “This is China’s only hope,” he stated. “Those who want Taiwanese independence to try to separate China will surely fail.”
It is China’s Taiwan. A province of China. Wei stated that Taiwan will be reunited.
The speech was made just days after U.S. Defence Secretary Austin accused China “provocative and destabilizing” military activity near the island.
The US is obliged to provide the self-ruled island with the weapons and services to defend itself under its Taiwan Relations Act.
Austin had claimed China raised the stakes.
Beijing is imposing increasing coercion on us. “We’ve seen a steady rise in destabilizing and provocative military activity around Taiwan. This includes [People’s Liberation Army] aircraft flying near Taiwan in record numbers in recent months — and nearly on a daily basis,” he said.
Wei from China called for Russia and NATO to reach an agreement on the end of the Ukraine conflict. China had not signed a pact to end the war with Russia, he stated.
It’s a partnership and not an alliance. The relations with Russia will grow. Russia does not receive any military support or material assistance from the United States. [for its Ukraine war],” Wei said.
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